Visit Wester Ross - Flowers to be seen in the North West Highlands of Scotland

Flowers:

At the risk of stating the obvious, what you see depends, to a major extent, on when you visit. What is perhaps less obvious, is that although our northern latitude means spring and summer arrive a little later than in the lowlands, this is partly compensated by a coastal position influenced by the Gulf Stream (or North Atlantic Drift). Once it starts, the flowering season is quite extended, and some of the many species that have appeared by mid-May, soldier on into September, and even October. There are, of course, exceptions (e.g. orchids) with a more limited flowering period, but on the whole, between late April and September you should see a very good variety of attractive and interesting flowers. The peaks, troughs and general characteristics of each month are given next, followed by a Table summarising the appearance of common species by month and colour. The timings indicated are very much dependent on weather (with much variation year on year) and on location - they are not absolutes, but a general guide.

Where to see the flowers, again depends on season and on what you are looking for. There are some good flower trails around Gairloch, but almost anywhere will yield something of interest. In the Poolewe area, for example, the walk beside the River Ewe and on to Loch Kernsary is also very productive as is the track through Tollie woods.

So, what can you see - and when?

MARCH

If you are braving the early season, you will be rewarded with the freshness of the new year, when the wild flower season really begins. By mid-month the Celandines and Primroses have appeared and by the end of the month they are in full swing, joined by superb Dog Violets. Less adventurous species tend to wait for a more certain taste of spring and this is early days for floral diversity. As mentioned previously, Flowerdale, Tollie woods, and the path beside the River Ewe all offer good opportunities. The weather can be very kind or very cruel; at this time you pays your money and takes your chances. Look out for Coltsfoot on the dunes as early as mid-January!

APRIL

Spring is definitely here, and the woodland areas erupt into life adding Bluebells, Wood Sorrel and Wood Anemones. The weather can be absolutely superb, or simply average. Irrespective, the green resurgence is taking off and a range of species including Marsh Marigolds, Creeping Buttercups, and Lady’s Smock (Cuckoo Flower), join the woodland flowers. But this is not yet the time of greatest floral diversity.

MAY

By May, spring has really emerged, and a wide variety of species can be
found, including some of the more spectacular flowers like the Foxglove, Heath Spotted Orchid, Red Campion and Yellow Flag. Looking a little harder reveals many equally attractive, if much smaller, flowers such as Eyebright, various Speedwells, Tormentil and Yellow Pimpernel. This can be the best month of the year for clement weather in Wester Ross (but no guarantees), so the opportunities for flower spotting are many. Above all, in warm weather, the dense yellow banks of gorse dispense a wonderful aroma redolent of more tropical climes.

JUNE

June adds another wave of new species to those that have already emerged by May, making this perhaps the best overall month for floral diversity. The beautiful purple Northern March Orchid appears, along with the pink/purple of Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath. Yellow flowers dominate, with many dandelion family representatives (composites) as well as the characteristic moorland Bog Asphodel and the giant Great Mullein. This is a marvellous time for the keen flower spotter, or for the rambler with an eye for beauty. The Lesser Butterfly Orchid and Fragrant Orchid are possible rewards for the sharp eye.

JULY

July is a month of both fulfilment and impending floral decline. For the newly arriving visitor, pink banks of willowherbs line the roads and the flowers are still wonderful. But major change is under way. Early in the month the vegetation is tall, lush and dense, with a good diversity of flowers. By mid-month the orchids have largely faded and many species are dying back with few new species coming onto the scene. Exceptions include the burgeoning Ragworts, Catsears and other yellow composites, the abundant umbellifers (Cow Parsley types) and the various buttercups. Yellows and whites compete with the purples of the various thistle species, and the emerging Ling (Heather). By the end of July the Devils-bit Scabious finally arrives, opening fully during early August. This is the last common flower to appear on the scene, and as such is the beginning of the end of the northern flowering summer. But not a time for depression - the purple revolution is under way.

AUGUST

By mid-July, the thistles and the Bell Heather are the dominant purples with a pinker contribution from the Cross-leaved Heath. By the beginning of August the Ling or “real” Heather is coming into full glory. When the days are warm and the light bright, the hills are overtaken with the colour and scent. Little matter that off the hill many other flowers are now fading. Of course there are no absolutes in this changing story. The Tormentil and Birdsfoot Trefoil that came on to the scene in May can still be found here and there. Even the April Milkwort can be spotted with a careful eye. It is a question of degree – decline rather than upsurge - that characterises late July and early August. But August is a month of solid banks of colour – the pinks of the finishing willowherbs, the blues of the Scabious and swathes of yellow composites lining the roads – Catsears, Nipplewort, Sow-thistle, Smooth Hawksbeard, and doubtless many others.

SEPTEMBER

The Scabious hangs in, and the heathers start to tail off, but otherwise this month is much as late August, with the odd few of many species hanging on here and there. The yellow of composites and buttercups still dot the fields and roadsides.

OCTOBER

By mid-month Tormentil may still be in evidence in small numbers, and Scabious is still widespread but finally getting to the end, as is the Heather. Just the odd sprays of purple remain, notably Bell Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, and Black Knapweed. A few composites and buttercups survive, but the bracken is brown like the Ling, fungi are common and the trees are rapidly losing their leaves. Even now, there may be resurgences and November can yield a bumper crop of new daisies, along with dandelions and some other hangers on from the previous month. The truth is, that there is always something in flower somewhere, but you may not always be very impressed with the species!